This list includes 8 Martial arts that start with F, from “Fencing” to “Fusen-ryu”. These styles range from Olympic sport to traditional combatives and hybrid systems. You will find arts used for sport competition, self-defense, and cultural practice.

Martial arts are structured systems and traditions for combat, training, and personal development. Many on this list, like “Fencing”, evolved into organized sport with codified rules and global competition.

Below you’ll find the table with Style, Origin, Primary focus, Founding period, and Notes.

Style: Shows the common name of the martial art so you can recognize and search for it easily.

Origin: Lists the country or region where the art developed, giving cultural and geographic context for you.

Primary focus: Identifies whether the style emphasizes Striking, Grappling, or a Hybrid approach, helping you compare training goals.

Founding period: Provides an approximate year, decade, or century of origin so you can see historical depth and evolution.

Notes: Brief clarifications about disputed names, modern variants, or notable competition formats to guide your further reading.

Martial arts that start with F

NameCountry of originPrimary focusFounding period
FencingFranceWeapons15th century
Filipino martial artsPhilippinesHybrid16th century
Fujian White CraneChinaStriking17th century
Five AnimalsChinaStriking17th century
Five Ancestor FistChinaHybrid17th century
Fusen-ryuJapanGrappling19th century
Fu Jow PaiChinaStriking19th century
French boxingFranceStriking19th century

Descriptions

Fencing
European sword sport emphasizing foil, épée and sabre; modern competitive rules developed in France with focus on footwork, timing, and blade control.
Filipino martial arts
Collective term for Eskrima, Kali and Arnis; weapon-centered systems using sticks, blades and empty-hand techniques, practical for close-quarters combat and self-defense.
Fujian White Crane
Southern Chinese kung fu from Fujian province, noted for precise hand techniques, evasive footwork and influence on Okinawan karate.
Five Animals
Shaolin-derived method using Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake and Dragon strategies, each teaching distinct tactics for power, speed and deception.
Five Ancestor Fist
Wu Zu Quan blends five elemental systems into a pragmatic style combining striking, trapping, stance work and internal training from southern Chinese lineages.
Fusen-ryu
Japanese jujutsu school famed for ne-waza (ground techniques) and joint locks; influential in early contests with Kodokan judo practitioners.
Fu Jow Pai
Also called Tiger Claw, a southern Chinese system emphasizing ripping claw strikes, grips, takedowns and close-range power.
French boxing
Common English term for Savate, France’s kickboxing art mixing elegant footwork with kicks and punches, evolving into a sportive combat discipline.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.